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FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2002

Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster (R) claims opposition to a rejected compact he signed with the Jena Band of Choctaws was mounted in part because he refused to endorse a fellow Republican.

On a radio show on Thursday, Foster said Rep. David Vitter (R-La.) asked for support, the Associated Press reported. Vitter, who is running for governor in Louisiana, acknowledged the request for help.

But Foster says his refusal led to Vitter's opposition to the compact. The compact was rejected last month by Assistant Secretary Neal McCaleb, who said it imposed an illegal tax on the tribe.

Vitter is also saying he is the target of legislation because he opposed the casino. State lawmaker are pushing a bill that will prevent him from using $1 million in federal campaign funds for his gubernatorial run.

Get the Story:
Campaign money ban advances (The Baton Rouge Advocate 4/5)
Campaign funds transfer bill OK'd (The New Orleans Times-Picayune 4/5)
Foster says he turned down endorsement request from Vitter (AP 4/4)
Bill would make it harder for U.S. officials to come home (The New Orleans Times-Picayune 4/4)

Relevant Links:
Rep. David Vitter - http://vitter.house.gov

Related Stories:
Jena Choctaws still shopping (4/3)
Jena Choctaws continue search (3/11)
Choctaw casino compact rejected (3/8)
Jena casino news (3/8)
Jena casino compact denied (3/7)
Delay in Choctaw decision sought (3/7)
La. senator opposes Choctaw casino (3/5)
Norton lobbied on Choctaw casino (2/28)
Foster, Choctaw for casino (2/27)
La. Choctaws facing opposition (2/22)
Jena Choctaw plan large casino (2/7)
Choctaw seeking Louisiana casino (2/6)
AP: Choctaw compact approved (2/5)